So, you have an event coming up soon and you are looking for live entertainment that can turn a good function into a great one. It’s tough trying to decide on the perfect band that will be enjoyed by everyone and very often, all you have to go on when booking them is word of mouth that their act is any good.
If you are looking for party music that is as sophisticated as it is entertaining, then consider hiring a swing band to take care of your guests. Swing music is best described as the foundation of many modern music styles such as Jazz and Soul music, it came about in an era of social uprising and cultural shift that saw people experimenting with music to develop a new sound that swept the European nations and United States.
The History of Swing
Swing music birthed exciting artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, and Duke Ellington, who all brought their own unique sound to the style of swing music. Swing was the predominant music trend of the late twenties right through until the early Forties, where its popularity dwindled in the shadow of the Second World War. The war conscripted many artists into military service and Swing bands that consisted of up to 15 members, suddenly found themselves with only three or four musicians that could take the stage.
This led to the evolution of swing into Jazz music, as musicians formed smaller groups and focused on fewer instruments used in the composition. Swing seemed to fade into the background for the next few decades as Jazz and Soul began their rise into popular culture.
In the late Nineties and early 2000’s, Swing made a brief comeback as it was integrated into modern pop music by artists and given a second chance at shaping popular culture. Today, swing bands can be found as traditional pieces featuring large ensembles, playing a variety or original and cover tracks for their audiences.
Why book a Swing band for your event?
If your event needs a party atmosphere that’s lively, with a band that has high-energy and offers an enthusiastic performance, then a Swing band is the perfect choice for your event entertainment. A Swing band should be able to play all of the classics from the era of Swings peak in the late thirties and early Forties such as Benny Goodman’s ‘Sing Sing Sing’ right through to modern versions such as Christina Aguilera’s ‘Candyman’.
What you can expect from a great Swing band
With a Swing band, you can expect a vibe that will get everyone on the dance-floor. Swing music was made to get feet moving and it even developed dances that were named after their areas they were birthed in. The Charleston and The Hop were examples of dance moves made to describe the movements of Swing dancers and these became influences on modern dance moves as well.
It’s safe to say that Swing music is one of the grandparents of modern music and dance and you can expect that in any performance from a Swing band, get ready to get up and get moving!
The final note on hiring the best Swing band
The most critical part of hiring a Swing band for your event is finding one that is reputable and reliable. Working with a talent agent to find a band that will show up on time and delivers a performance that is value for your entertainment budget is not as easy as it sounds, so make sure you choose to work with an agency that has a solid reputation and plenty of past client testimonials.
Your event is set for success with a Swing band for the entertainment, the only thing left to do is let your hair down and swing the night away!